Landmark Commission Votes to Approve Brooklyn Skyscraper Historic District

[M II A II R II K]

Landmark Commission Votes to Approve Brooklyn Skyscraper Historic District


September 12, 2011

By Marlon Bishop

Read More: http://culture.wnyc.org/articles/fea...oric-district/

The city's Landmark Preservation Commission approved the creation of a new Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic District in Downtown Brooklyn. The new district, which includes 21 buildings, was approved by a vote of 10 to 0. Final approval awaits a vote by the City Planning Commission and by the City Council, which must vote on the measure in the next 120 days.

- The proposed landmarks include some of Brooklyn’s tallest structures — art deco towers from the 1920s such as the buildings at 16 Court St., 191 Joralemon St. and 75 Livingston St. Brooklyn’s municipal building — soon to become the site of a new mini-mall — and a number of smaller buildings along Court St., Montague St. and Joralemon St. will be included in the district as well. The Brooklyn Heights Association has been pushing for the new historic district for more than five years.

- “We want to preserve these buildings so future generations can enjoy them as they are,” said Judy Stanton, the executive director of the association. “Even though there is no threat tomorrow to tear any of them down, landmarking ensures that they will be preserved 100 years from now.” But many property owners in the district have rallied against the proposal. In January, several real estate holding companies and business organizations, including the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, signed onto a letter asking that the landmarks commission reconsider a vote to approve the district.

- “With Brooklyn and the rest of the city continuing to struggle to escape the grasp of an unprecedented economic downturn, it makes little sense to move forward on a designation that will impede Downtown Brooklyn’s ability to attract high-quality, 'destination' commercial and retail tenants, and create a successful, vibrant commercial district along Court Street,” read the letter.

- In the case of downtown Brooklyn, some are even more worried since the neighborhood is going through a big transition. New tenants — from Aeropostale and H&M to Shake Shack — are moving onto Fulton Street Mall. The Landmarks Preservation Commission believes that the landlords’ fears are unwarranted. “The commission has a successful track record of regulating vibrant commercial areas within historic districts — from high-end boutiques on Madison Avenue to national retailers along Broadway in Ladies’ Mile and SoHo,” said Lisi de Bourbon, a commission spokeswoman.

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Map of the proposed Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic District






Residents of 75 Livingston Street don't want to become part of the 'Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic District'

[MolsonExport]

I love these Brooklyn beauties.

[volguus zildrohar]

One of many reasons why if four boroughs had to go Brooklyn would not be one of them.